Category Archives: books

The Book of Speculation

I don’t know about you, but I typically don’t enjoy really long reviews whether it be for movies or books. I also don’t want too much to be given away and like sort of a mysterious and vague glimpse that gives me enough of an idea of whether or not I might like to read it. So, here we go. I probably won’t get around to talking about every book I read, but I’m going to try and do as many as I can. Like I mentioned before, I have a hard time remembering most of the books I read, so it’s helpful for me when I can’t recall whether or not I actually liked a book and why or why I didn’t.

The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler

The story overall was good and I enjoyed the writing and use of description in terms of location. You can easily see in your mind’s eyes the house slowly falling apart as the sea creeps in closer and closer and you can smell the salt in the air.  Water is a prominent and important character in this book as it tells the tale of a family of mermaids and what can only be a curse that has followed several generations.  While there is a sense of urgency in the story as the narrator attempts to save his sister from what he is certain is impending death, the pace itself is sometimes slow.

If you enjoy books about family, secrets, circus life (whether it may or may not be based on fact), some mysticism, the power of books, and a taste of fantasy then I recommend this. Ideally it would be the perfect vacation read, but really any old time would work.

I give it:

Goodreads Synopsis

A sweeping and captivating debut novel about a young librarian who is sent a mysterious old book, inscribed with his grandmother’s name. What is the book’s connection to his family?

Simon Watson, a young librarian, lives alone on the Long Island Sound in his family home, a house perched on the edge of a cliff that is slowly crumbling into the sea. His parents are long dead, his mother having drowned in the water his house overlooks.

One day, Simon receives a mysterious book from an antiquarian bookseller; it has been sent to him because it is inscribed with the name Verona Bonn, Simon’s grandmother. Simon must unlock the mysteries of the book, and decode his family history, before fate deals its next deadly hand.

The Book of Speculation is Erika Swyler’s gorgeous and moving debut, a wondrous novel about the power of books, family, and magic

Book Review – My Grandmother…

So I’m trying something new… partly because I have a difficult time remembering what I’ve read, and I also like hearing what people thing about books I may want to read. I am no great critic and I make no promises that my reviews will astound you in anyway, but here goes. I do need to get better about taking notes whilst reading, though.

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry

by Fredrick Backman

I have mixed feelings about this book.  In the beginning I wasn’t even sure I’d keep reading it because it didn’t grab me in the way I want to be grabbed (more like a creepy too delicate hug when you want a passionate embrace). It was a slow burn with an occasional pop and crackle that would just keep my interest enough that I stuck with it, assuming that eventually there would be a burst of flames.

It’s a unique story in the way that it’s told, but I felt like the imaginative world often overshadowed reality too much at times and it wasn’t until a little over halfway through the book that I actually started to get into it and wanted to know what happened next. The imaginary world of Miamas is complex and in the beginning I became a little bored with it quite frankly.  Eventually it made more sense and the way the real world and Miamas were weaved together became more enjoyable and I appreciated it more for what it was.

Ultimately, I did end up enjoying it. Maybe I was even in the wrong frame of my mind when I began it and only appreciated it in the end because I persevered and my mood changed?  I think I may read it again to see… maybe next year.

The synopsis from Goodreads:

From the author of the internationally bestselling A Man Called Ove, a novel about a young girl whose grandmother dies and leaves behind a series of letters, sending her on a journey that brings to life the world of her grandmother’s fairy tales.

Elsa is seven years old and different. Her grandmother is seventy-seven years old and crazy, standing-on-the-balcony-firing-paintball-guns-at-men-who-want-to-talk-about-Jesus-crazy. She is also Elsa’s best, and only, friend. At night Elsa takes refuge in her grandmother’s stories, in the Land of Almost-Awake and the Kingdom of Miamas where everybody is different and nobody needs to be normal.

When Elsa’s grandmother dies and leaves behind a series of letters apologizing to people she has wronged, Elsa’s greatest adventure begins. Her grandmother’s letters lead her to an apartment building full of drunks, monsters, attack dogs, and totally ordinary old crones, but also to the truth about fairytales and kingdoms and a grandmother like no other.

2016 Book Survey

I filled this out last year thanks to Jamie and now I’m joining in again!  I think this year I need to keep better notes so it’s easier to fill out.

Here goes!

Number Of Books You Read: 53
Number of Re-Reads: 0
Genre You Read The Most From:  Contemporary Fiction

1. Best Book You Read In 2016?

So hard, but I’m going to say The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty. I love her books, but this one just fell kind of flat for me.

 3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?  

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect with this book and it did end up surprising me in a sort of eery and creepy way.

 4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

Hmm… I can’t think of just one book I really “pushed” on anyone this year… maybe The Name of the Wind?

 5. Best series you started in 2016? Best Sequel of 2016? Best Series Ender of 2016?

Best Series – Saga by Brian K. Vaughan

Best Sequel – Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

Best Series Ender – Winter by Marissa Meyer (The Lunar Chronicles)

 6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2016?

  1. E. Schwab (Shades of Magic)

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

I didn’t really go outside my comfort zone this year. Something to remedy in 2017!

 8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas.

 9. Book You Read In 2016 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

With so many books to read I don’t know that I’ll re-read any that I read this year, to be honest.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2016?

Saga – Volume 1

11. Most memorable character of 2016?

I spent a lot of time with Clare and Jamie Fraser this year, so I’m going to say that they tie. Ha!

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2016?

I cannot choose… Diana Gabaldon is so good with words.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2016?

You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero I think I actually need to re-read this and remind myself again.

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2016 to finally read? 

All of the Outlander books!!!

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2016?

How can you pick just one???

“Imagine what our world would be like if everyone loved themselves so much that they weren’t threatened by other people’s opinions or skin colors or sexual preferences or talents or education or possessions or lack of possessions or religious beliefs or customs or their general tendency to just be whoever the hell they are.”
― Jen Sincero, You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2016?

The Grownup by Gillian Flynn (Shortest)

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon (Longest)

 17. Book That Shocked You The Most

(Because of a plot twist, character death, left you hanging with your mouth wide open, etc.)

I’m struggling to answer this one… I can’t think of one that really left me with this feeling, though. Bad, Blogger!

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

(OTP = one true pairing if you aren’t familiar)

I’m so bad at these… I have no idea.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

Ian and Rollo from the Outlander series.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2016 From An Author You’ve Read Previously.

Can I just say anything in the Outlander series because those are my favorite reads this year. I promise 2017 won’t be all things Outlander. 😉

21. Best Book You Read In 2016 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

Cinder by Marissa Meyer.  Everyone kept talking about it and I doubted it, but ended up reading the whole series.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2016?

Malachi from the Irin Chronicles.

23. Best 2016 debut you read?

Oh wow… I apparently only read four books from 2016 in 2016 and only one was a debut. Ha!  I’m going with The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

Okay, I won’t go with my obvious choice here and will branch out. The Throne of Glass series is really well described, but I’m actually also going to go with The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.  She paints a very vivid picture with her words.

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

Even when they aren’t the best, I’ve been reading the Shopaholic books since the beginning and even when it’s over the top ridiculous, I always smile, so… Shopaholic to the Rescue by Sophie Kinsella

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2016?

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner, Farewell to the East End by Jennifer Worth

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

I feel like anything good I read isn’t a hidden gem.  I could tell you the potential pieces of poo to avoid, however. 😉

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2016?

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

The Goldfinch brought out a lot of emotion and at times anger, as well as sadness and frustration. I won’t lie, it was a tad depressing.

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2016 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2017?

There’s actually a large stack of these that I will attempt to get through, but I should warn you now… 2017 is the year of all things Tolkien.  I’m re-reading The Hobbit and LOTR, but also going to be reading other Tolkien books as well and getting ready for Tol-Con 2017 in November!!

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2017 (non-debut)?

Definitely Throne of Glass Book 6 by Sarah J. Maas.

3. 2017 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

I’m actually looking forward to Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo.

 4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2017?

The last Throne of Glass book!

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2017?

I want to be better about reviewing books and keeping track of them.  There are a few books where I can’t remember anything about them and yet I know I read them.  Books and related geekdom are going to be a huge part of my 2017, though, so we’ll see what happens!

2016 In Books

For the past couple of years (with the help of Goodreads) I’ve been setting reading goals for myself.  I’ve always been an avid bookworm, but haven’t found nearly as much time in the past 4-5 years for reading *cough* kids *cough*.  Setting a goal has helped me find my joy again and this past year I managed to read 51 books.  Okay, I’ll be honest, they weren’t all full-sized books, but thanks to Goodreads, I’ve got all the details including a list of everything I read this year.

I’d say an average of over 400 pages per book makes up for the shorter graphic novels I read, not that I have to prove myself to anyone. Anyhoo… don’t ask me what my favorite book this year was because there were too quite a few to choose from.  As far as duds go… there were a couple of those as well. I’ve been reading some YA novels and while some are pretty good and fun to read, some are just not my cup of tea, and admittedly I’m not exactly the target audience, so there’s also that.

Now to come up with a goal for this upcoming year. I didn’t exactly go over my goal by much and while I may get another book or two read (depending on size) before the actual end of the year, I’m not sure how much to push myself in 2017.

Also… should you have any book recommendations for this upcoming year, please give them to me!!!

2015 Reading Stats

A slightly edited version of Jamie from Perpetual Page Turner’s End of Year Survey.

2015 Reading Stats

Number Of Books You Read:  43
Number of Re-Reads:  2 (The last two Harry Potter books)
Genre You Read The Most From:  It looks like I did a lot of YA reading this year.  Even more so than I thought!

1. Best Book You Read In 2015?

Did I mention I hate making decisions?   This is difficult because a few stuck out for me, so I’m going with that.

The Storied life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

Hmm… this is a hard one. I suppose the only one that comes to mind is Shadows of the Workhouse (the second in the Call the Midwife series).  I knew there weren’t going to be as many midwifery stories, but there really weren’t any at all and while it’s still interesting I was a little disappointed at the lack of babies and birthing. It was really a depressing read when all is said and done.

 3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?

Beyond Belief by Jenna Miscavige Hill was certainly surprising in both good and bad ways. I always knew there were weird things about Scientology, but actually reading a firsthand account of just how cult-like and bizarre of a religion it is was fascinating, and there were aspects that did surprise me. Unfortunately I was also surprised at just how much it dragged and how dull it was at times.

 4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

The Martian by Andy Weir. I still haven’t seen the movie, but I definitely recommend the book and keep pestering my husband to read it because he reminds me of Mark Watney (the main character).

 5. Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?

I’m going to go with Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.  I have issues with a few things, and the first book was only okay, but overall I found them entertaining and I kept going back for more. I’m just finishing up Queen of Shadows and it’s grown on me. I can look past some of the more bothersome things that irk me thanks to some interesting (if mildly annoying) characters and decent writing.  As far as Series enders go… I didn’t really read any that I haven’t before (HP).

 6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?

Liane Moriarty. I will be reading the rest of her books in the upcoming year and hopefully won’t be disappointed. Her style of writing is right up my alley and I’m looking forward to more books in the future.

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

I read a lot of YA fiction this year, which is not typical for me, and one of the better books I read ended up being Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell.  I was expecting something more saccharin after reading the synopsis, but it was in fact more bittersweet. Rowell has a way with words and I think nailed writing from a teenager’s perspective.

 8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

I’m going to say it was probably The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.  I read this while traveling and didn’t want to put it down. The story was intriguing and I wanted to know what happened next and what twists and turns were around the corner.  I’m looking forward to seeing it turned into a film – I enjoyed it so much more than Gone Girl.

 9. Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Possibly the Harry Potter ones if I do HP December next year, but that’s likely it as I have so many new books that I want to read.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?

Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple has a cover I really like, and I’m not even really sure why. Maybe it’s the bright palette and simplicity and air of mystery that makes you want to pick up the book and find out more about Bernadette.

11. Most memorable character of 2015?

I loved Claire and James from Outlander and loved watching the first season of the show. I’m getting ready to start the second book and by far they are my favorite characters from this year. I can’t believe I waited so long to read this book.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel was beautifully written and lived up to the hype. I loved that with so many apocalyptic books out there, this one manages to still be unique.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.  While I didn’t make as many changes as I meant to, I really have started looking at my belongings in a different way and plan on getting rid of a lot more next year. It’s much easier now to look at what surrounds me and if it doesn’t bring joy and isn’t useful… it doesn’t belong.

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read? 

This is going to sound redundant, but Outlander!  Despite being long, it was easy to read and I actually felt like the love story was more realistic than a lot of other romances I’ve read in recent years.  I thought it might be a tad cheesy with the whole time travel aspect, but I could not have been more wrong.

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?

“She had never entirely let go of the notion that if she reached far enough with her thoughts she might find someone waiting, that if two people were to cast their thoughts outward at the same moment they might somehow meet in the middle.”
― Emily St. John Mandel, Station Eleven

“We aren’t the things we collect, acquire, read. We are, for as long as we are here, only love. The things we loved. The people we loved. And these, I think these really do live on”
― Gabrielle Zevin, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?

According to Goodreads:

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon was the longest (896 pp)

and

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (211 pp)

 17. Book That Shocked You The Most

I have really enjoyed Liane Moriarty this year and one of the best things about her books is how you can’t stop reading and how she loves to throw in a good plot twist or surprise.  I think with each of her books that I read I had moments where I stayed up later than I meant to because of some unexpected plot twist that I had to dive into further.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

Is it really any surprise that I’m going to say Jamie and Clare from Outlander?

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

The relationship between A.J. and his daughter, Maya in The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. Maya comes into A.J’s life unexpectedly and their relationship is very endearing.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

I have been a Jodi Picoult fan for a long time, so I’m going to go with The Storyteller on this one. She is such a good writer and it’s hard not to become connected with her characters.

21. Best Book You Read In 2015 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

I started reading both the Selection series and Throne of Glass series based solely on blog recommendations. I read a lot of YA this year based on blog recommendations and I’m enjoying the change.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?

Either Jamie from Outlander or Rowan from Heir of Fire and Queen of Shadows (Sarah. J. Mass).

23. Best 2015 debut you read?

The Girl on the Train. I think it was actually the only 2015 debut I read because I’m massively behind. This book got a lot of hype and for once, I agree. Much like the book Gone Girl, who it is often compared to, this book has a variety of characters that leave you with very mixed emotions.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

Without a doubt Diana Gabaldon knows how to make you feel as though you’ve actually stepped back in time. Sure, some details may be a bit unnecessary as her books are very long already, but I find the historical tidbits to be interesting nonetheless and like I’m better able to imagine life in the 18th century.

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

As You Wish by Cary Elwes was an amusing look behind the scenes of one of the best movies of all time, The Princess Bride.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult and The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman.

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion was a fun read that may not have been hidden, but didn’t get as much attention as I think it should have. It was a fun, cute read with a quirky and socially awkward genetics professor who hasn’t much luck dating. He starts The Wife Project and ends up meeting Rosie who is the exact opposite of everything that would make a good wife.

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult. It was incredibly difficult to read such graphic depictions of life in a Concentration camp and the treatment of those trapped under Nazi regime. It took me longer than usual to read just because there were many times I had to set it aside because of just how much it made me want to cry.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?

The most unique book was a YA novel from the 50’s called Donna Parker, Special Agent. It was a quick and easy read and made me laugh a lot thanks to typical 50’s stereotypes and just how much things have changed in 60 years.

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

I’m going to say The Ghost Boy By Martin Pistorius, but only because I was so disgusted by how he was treated at times. I can’t imagine being trapped inside your own body and being so disregarded and misused by people who are supposed to look after you. It was a really inspiring and fascinating story, though.

Your Bookish/Blogging Life

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2015?

Super Space Chick

Perpetual Page Turner

2. Best Bookish Discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

BookOutlet.com – I’m expecting my first order soon!

3.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

I set a Goodreads Reading Challenge for myself this past year to read 26 books and ended up reading 42, so apparently I need to set a higher goal for myself this coming year.

Looking Ahead

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?

There are a few, but I do want to check out Sarah J. Maas some more and read A Court of Thorns and Roses and The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, especially because the second season of Outlander will also be coming out in 2016 and I have to read the book first!

3. 2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

I’m looking forward to checking out The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig. I’m apparently a sucker for time travel and this one sounds promising.

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?

I am looking forward to reading the next Sarah J. Maas book in the Throne of Glass series. I’m really interested in seeing what happens with a few of the characters introduced in the last two books, particularly Manon.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?

I definitely plan on reading more books in 2016.  I haven’t decided on a goal yet, but I want to push myself next year now that the kids are older and it’s easier to find time to read.  I also want to try and review more books next year – I always find them helpful to read when others write them.